2000 important Idioms - Set 01

1. A done deal

• Meaning: This expression is used to refer to an agreement or decision that has been successfully concluded or settled.

• Sentence Usage 1: After weeks of negotiations, the merger between the two companies is now a done deal, and both parties are satisfied with the terms.

• Sentence Usage 2: We've finalized the contract, and the client's approval makes it a done deal; we can proceed with the project.

2. A bad egg

• Meaning: To refer to someone as a bad egg means that they are untrustworthy or have a negative character.

• Sentence Usage 1: Be cautious when dealing with him; some colleagues consider him a bad egg due to his history of betraying team members.

• Sentence Usage 2: It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the new employee was a bad egg, as they were caught stealing office supplies within the first week.

3. A bag of bones

• Meaning: A very thin person.

• Sentence Usage 1: Despite eating a lot, he remains a bag of bones; it seems he has a high metabolism.

• Sentence Usage 2: After the illness, she became a bag of bones, and it took months to regain her weight.

4. A beast of burden

• Meaning: A useful animal.

• Sentence Usage 1: In rural areas, a horse is often considered a beast of burden, assisting with various tasks on the farm.

• Sentence Usage 2: Camels are commonly used as beasts of burden in arid regions, carrying heavy loads across the desert.

5. A bed of roses

• Meaning: Easy.

• Sentence Usage 1: Starting a new business is not always a bed of roses; it comes with its challenges and uncertainties.

• Sentence Usage 2: Despite the initial difficulties, her career turned into a bed of roses with time and hard work.

6. A bed of thorns

• Meaning: Full of suffering and sorrows.

• Sentence Usage 1: The journey through the war-torn region was a bed of thorns for the refugees.

• Sentence Usage 2: The loss of a loved one turned his life into a bed of thorns, and healing took time.

7. A bee in one's bonnet

• Meaning: Overconfident.

• Sentence Usage 1: Ever since his success in the competition, he's had a bee in his bonnet about his abilities.

• Sentence Usage 2: Her recent achievements have given her a bee in her bonnet, leading to a boost in self-esteem.

8. A big gun

• Meaning: An important figure.

• Sentence Usage 1: The CEO is a big gun in the industry, known for his influential decisions and leadership.

• Sentence Usage 2: When it comes to political negotiations, she is considered a big gun with years of diplomatic experience.

9. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

• Meaning: Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more because chances are you might lose everything.

• Sentence Usage 1: He decided to accept the job offer he had instead of waiting for a potential opportunity elsewhere, believing that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• Sentence Usage 2: Sarah chose to invest in a stable business rather than risking her savings in speculative stocks, following the philosophy that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

10. A bird of passage

• Meaning: Of nowhere.

• Sentence Usage 1: She's like a bird of passage, always moving from one city to another in pursuit of new experiences.

• Sentence Usage 2: The traveler was a bird of passage, exploring different cultures and landscapes without settling in one place.

11. A bird of prey

• Meaning: Beast.

• Sentence Usage 1: The eagle, a bird of prey, soared high in the sky, scanning the ground for potential food.

• Sentence Usage 2: The owl, also a bird of prey, silently hunted for small creatures in the darkness of the night.

12. A bird's eye view

• Meaning: General view.

• Sentence Usage 1: From the top of the mountain, they enjoyed a bird's eye view of the entire valley below.

• Sentence Usage 2: The drone provided a bird's eye view of the construction site, allowing the project manager to assess progress.

13. A bit of

• Meaning: A little.

• Sentence Usage 1: Can I have a bit of your sandwich? I forgot to pack my lunch today.

• Sentence Usage 2: Just add a bit of sugar to the recipe; it will enhance the flavor without making it too sweet.

14. A black sheep

• Meaning: Good for nothing.

• Sentence Usage 1: Unfortunately, he turned out to be the black sheep of the family, constantly getting into trouble.

• Sentence Usage 2: The new employee was a black sheep in the team, failing to meet deadlines and causing disruptions.

15. A blessing in disguise

• Meaning: Something good that isn't recognized at first.

• Sentence Usage 1: Losing the job turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it pushed her to pursue a more fulfilling career path.

• Sentence Usage 2: The delay in the project was a blessing in disguise, allowing the team to discover and fix potential issues before implementation.

16. A bluestocking

• Meaning: An intelligent lady.

• Sentence Usage 1: She's not just a pretty face; she's a bluestocking with a brilliant mind and academic achievements.

• Sentence Usage 2: The conference was filled with bluestockings, discussing cutting-edge research and innovative ideas.

17. A bolt from the blue

• Meaning: Some unexpected bad news.

• Sentence Usage 1: The sudden announcement of layoffs was a bolt from the blue for the employees.

• Sentence Usage 2: The failure of the project came as a bolt from the blue; no one anticipated such a setback.

18. A bone of contention

• Meaning: Root cause of a fight.

• Sentence Usage 1: The division of the inheritance became a bone of contention among the family members, leading to disputes.

• Sentence Usage 2: The issue of promotion became a bone of contention between the two colleagues, resulting in tension in the workplace.

19. A bone to pick

• Meaning: Some cause of quarrel.

• Sentence Usage 1: When he found out about the mistake, he had a bone to pick with the team responsible for the error.

• Sentence Usage 2: She has a bone to pick with her neighbor about the noise coming from their late-night parties.

20. A broken reed

• Meaning: Careless human being.

• Sentence Usage 1: You can't rely on him; he's a broken reed when it comes to keeping promises.

• Sentence Usage 2: Hiring a broken reed for such a critical task is a recipe for disaster.

21. A brown study

• Meaning: Keeps lost in dreams.

• Sentence Usage 1: When asked about the project deadline, he was in a brown study, lost in thoughts about a creative solution.

• Sentence Usage 2: She often goes into a brown study, contemplating the possibilities of her future.

22. A bundle

• Meaning: A lot of money.

• Sentence Usage 1: Winning the lottery brought her a bundle, allowing her to fulfill her long-held dreams.

• Sentence Usage 2: The successful investment yielded a bundle, providing financial security for the family.

23. A burning question

• Meaning: A subject of talk.

• Sentence Usage 1: The mysterious disappearance of the artifact became a burning question in the community.

• Sentence Usage 2: The controversial decision by the government became a burning question among citizens.

24. A cash cow

• Meaning: A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a cash cow.

• Sentence Usage 1: The popular software became a cash cow for the company, generating consistent revenue.

• Sentence Usage 2: Establishing a subscription-based model turned the online platform into a cash cow, ensuring financial stability.

25. A cast the eye

• Meaning: A slight squint.

• Sentence Usage 1: She had a cast in her eye that added a unique charm to her appearance.

• Sentence Usage 2: The actor's signature look included a cast in the eye, making him easily recognizable.